pepperrn

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Queen Elizabeth, Queens Grill, pages showing one day's dinner menu, from February/March 2018.

(Ordering "off menu" (with a day notice) was positively encouraged).

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps, have a great time, Bon Voyage.

I concur with Pepper's evaluation of the QE.

We were onboard for the full 2018 World Voyage. Was it perfect? No, but there were many more hits than misses, and the service, all over the ship, more than made up for any lackluster dish. The inability of the ship to get to Busan, where containers of food were waiting, did require adjustments and creativity on the part of Mark Oldroyd, the Executive Chef.

 

It was delightful meeting you onboard, Pepper, and a great time at lunch together.

 

Ricki

The pleasure and honour were all mine Ricki. It was lovely to have lunch with you both. I wish I had been on board for much longer so we could have met up several more times. I truly hope I am lucky enough to meet you both again one day on board a Cunard queen :) .

 

Sincere best wishes and happy sailings for the future!

Things must have gone very seriously downhill since February/March this year when I was on board the Queen Elizabeth and everything was just fine, like my other Cunard voyages. I had a great time (as always).

 

People I chatting with on board have told me recently that, given how good the trip was, they have booked two further voyages with Cunard (something they'd be unlikely to do if the experience earlier this year had been poor).

 

Was the trip without fault? Of course not, but then if I want to be really picky, nothing ever is (being a grumpy old man I can always something to have a good old moan about).

 

Would I book QE again? In a heartbeat :)

I think the dinner dining was a test. It was not true the last two weeks on the QM2. ...

I'd noted that the Golden Lion isn't currently shown as an "alternative dining" venue (in evenings) on the UK website.

I have travelled as a single passenger on a transatlantic crossing on QM2 (in mid-December) without paying a single supplement. I had a mid-ship sheltered balcony cabin to myself, transfer in New York, and flight back to the UK for £499. However, two factors helped: This was in 2012 when, due to world-wide economic issues, they were desperate to fill berths, esp for a winter crossing. Secondly, I booked less than a month before sailing date. But this shows that the single supplement isn't "always applied".

 

My advice to the OP; find a family member or a good friend to share the cabin. I have done this in the past. Even if you don't let them pay 50% of the total, any contribution they make (say 60/40 split of the total for two people) reduces your potential expenditure and gives you company on the sailing (and any sightseeing and return flight). This attractive "discount" to the other person, in my experience, can sometimes appeal to people who hadn't thought of taking a crossing previously. OK, you're paying a contribution towards their ticket, but you're paying out less than the dreaded additional 75% on top of your fare. (And who knows, if they get "the sailing/cruising bug", they can return the favour on a future cruise with a contribution towards your fare!)

 

I hope you make your transatlantic crossing on QM2, it is an experience not to be missed.

I came across the menu for The Golden Lion on QM2 on another thread & wondered if meals are served at lunch time only or if they serve food in the evening aswell. Also wondering if the bar provides darts to use or are u meant to bring your own? Thanks in advance.

 

There are two dart boards in an area of the Golden Lion, separated from the seating area by a wood and glass screen. They are situated at the aft end of the room, near to one of the entrance/exits.

Pepperrn, I'm not sure if I've expressed to you how much I thoroughly enjoy your sets of Cunard pics on Flickr. If I already have, then please forgive me, but it certainly deserves repeating. And, I'm sure many here feel similarly. I especially appreciate the way you present the pics in continuity. For instance, I can look through your pictures one-by-one on one screen, and follow along 'virtually' walking through the ship's deck plans on the other screen. It really brings the tour to life. Just love it. Thank you so much!

:o Thank you steve1young for your exceptionally kind comments :) . You have been very generous, and this is deeply appreciated.

 

I am currently updating the captions on many of the "tour" photos, and also about to add more photos from my most recent Cunard trip earlier this year.

Thank you again :)

 

Many happy sailings to you.

9th May 2014 Southampton

 

I was on board QM2 for her 10th anniversary celebrations (and crossing to New York).

 

The three queens were gathered close together before QM2 sailed past QE and QV, with a band playing on the quay, fireworks, and one of the most memorable sailaways I've experienced.

 

The photos from this amazing day can be seen here:

 

1 old style "Gold"

2 new style "Platinum" and "Diamond"

(plus a couple of others)

I can actually buy British clotted cream (shelf stable, in a jar) at certain US groceries (Wegmans in the Northeast). Should I bring some along for my own pleasure?

On many occasions I've stopped at Marks & Spencer in Southampton or Waitrose in Hythe and bought a tub of clotted cream to take on board myself, or give to friends who are about to sail that day.

 

The shelf-life is long enough (stored in the cabin 'fridge) to last most of the way to New York (if not used up long before of course).

Cut the scone across horizontally to produce two discs.

 

Spread the cream thickly on both halves.

 

Using a spoon, add a large amount of jam on top of the cream on both halves (don't spread the jam, just place it).

This is the highly correct, or "Devon" way, and is a tradition that dates from soon after early man first stood upright (indeed he did so to better grasp a scone with one hand, and spread the cream with a primitive knife held in the other).

 

Accept no heathen, unnatural substitute.

Cream first, jam second was ordained by the gods.

 

For further, logical proof; one dairy product (butter) that many spread on a scone for an "ordinary tea", is replaced in the "cream tea" by another dairy product, cream.

 

Quite easy to remember, both dairy products, and as nature intended.

 

(Avoid any faux/wrong/mistaken cream tea ideas that suggest reversing the cream/jam placement, esp if it comes from a county that isn't really part of England, where they've yet to get electricity, and where until fairly recently you weren't allowed to get married unless it was within your own family (your immediate family) :D ).

 

Enjoy your (Devon) Cream Tea :) :D ;)

I've had three butlers; one received a tip as his service was faultless and exceeded my expectations. Nothing was too much trouble, and he got to know my routines and preferences rapidly.

 

The other two were disappointing and disinterested in me, my likes and dislikes, and so didn't receive a tip (even if one "hung around" the cabin in anticipation of an envelope... )

 

(I have never removed the "auto-tip")

Can you get beer in the fridge as part of the bar set up.

I did, in addition to a bottle of scotch.

... About being a vegetarian: Did you ever think about sweet options like french toast, pancakes, etc? ...

As I said above " ... there are many other choices"

 

Baked beans with every breakfast? No thank you (I've seen "Blazing Saddles")...

 

Moreover, If you are going to self-selectively restrict your choice ("I won't eat that"), be prepared to eat what remains; the fussier you are, inevitably the less choice you will have.

 

Omnivores have it easy.

A question, has anyone had any bubbly instead of wine or spirits, if so what . Or have they foisted the dreaded Pol Acker on anyone.

In QG, there will be a bottle of Cunard House Champagne, and one of Pol Acker, awaiting your arrival ;)

 

I've chosen spirits both times.

My first experience with a QG butler was underwhelming (was in a Q1) but subsequently I had an excellent one. He organised an in suite party, had my shoes buffed each day and his colleague did my bow tie and cufflinks on formal nights.

I had the opposite experience; my first butler (QM2 Q5) was outstanding in every regard, beyond excellent. He rapidly understood my routines, likes and dislikes. Never had to asked to replenish things in the cabin as they were used (indeed he anticipated me using them and supplied more ahead of time). My second time (QE Q3) was such a contrast. The butlers changed half-way through my cruise and neither were more than stewards with a fancy name, hardly saw either of them. They had to be repeatedly asked to clear used trays & plates etc from the cabin, replenish coffee, biscuits, soft drinks, water etc. Most disappointing.

Bringing your own baked beans is an interesting concept.

Quite; thank you for saying what I was thinking.

 

I'd simply go without if I didn't like the taste of anything (and have done so)... there are many other choices.

 

Tastes are individual, one person's poor beans, bread or coffee... are another person's perfectly fine. For example: The very worst breakfast that I've ever had was in a hotel in Hong Kong. The "coffee" was undrinkable (so I didn't), most of the food was tasteless or distinctly unpleasant. Eating a raffia coaster would have been preferable to the "toast" provided. However, the buffet was full of people seemingly happily enjoying their meal. So maybe it was just me?

 

A final thought; the general taste/quality of food... many seek ever-lower prices from hotels and cruises; is it then so surprising that costs are cut to meet that demand?

I've heard that one was added on request on a spacious QM2 Queens Grill balcony. The deck chair didn't face the sea (not enough width available), but along the length of the very long balcony (told to me by a fellow passenger a couple of years back).

 

Although it wouldn't hurt to ask, be prepared for a negative response. As I doubt there would be room for a teak deckchair and the two standard seats on a Britannia balcony (and allowing for the outward opening door), and the steward would have to find room elsewhere... to store one chair normally provided.

There are strict rules about flammable chairs/tables etc on balconies following the 2006 Star Princess fire (one reason why Cunard changed the large/cumbersome plastic full-length sun-loungers originally provided on many QM2 balconies for the current metal chairs, and furthermore added sprinklers on all balconies), so you may find that they may decline for safety reasons.

 

Bon Voyage!

The in-cabin make-it-yourself tea & coffee facilities in Queens Grill: Illy coffee machine (pods). Twinnings tea bags (there was a selection of pods and bags available).

Not sure about Princess Grill (?), but I understand that instant coffee is provided, along with Twinnings tea bags, in Britannia grade cabins.

 

(I'm sorry but for tea lovers there are no loose-leaf facilities, only bags. You could bring loose-leaf tea and a strainer of course.

Similarly, you may wish to purchase of the many simple filter devices available in shops/online for making a cup of real coffee within a cup/mug; so you may wish to bring ground coffee and one of these devices with you)

 

Hope this helps.

As Zider states; replenished when needed.

 

In fact, in my experience, shortly before ;)

I had a butler on QM2 in a Q5 (New York-Caribbean-New York) two years ago and he was superb. Saw him three/four times a day, couldn't fault him. Excellent in every regard. Listened to requests and learnt preferences fast. Nothing was too much trouble. Tipped of course.

 

On QE in a Q3 this year (Auckland-Brisbane) had two different butlers (change-over in Sydney) and both were nothing special, did the minimum required (seen at most twice a day). Neither was interested in my likes/dislikes. The first hung around on his last day for a minute or so... waiting for a tip (do something to earn one... ).

On a Queen Elizabeth eight-day cruise, I benefited from a free upgrade (notified only 2/3 weeks from boarding); from a standard Britannia-grade balcony cabin - to a Queens Grill Q3.

I've not sailed in Princess grill, but have enjoyed cruises in Queens Grill twice (QM2 and QE).

 

Without hesitation I would book Queens Grill.

 

To add: I've had Deck 11 midships cabins on QM2 and have never noted excessive/distracting vibrations.

The worst food I've had was on P&O anytime ...

 

I'm not sure I'd welcome this, the whole galley could suffer, incl "two seating" dining... yuk.